Advances in magnetic resonance imaging of embryonic tissue morphogenesis and its applications in pediatric regenerative medicine

The human organ systems undergo a complex and dynamic morphogenetic trajectory from early gestation through adolescence, driven by molecular and cellular programs that sculpt their architecture and functional competence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an indispensable, non-invasive platform for interrogating pediatric tissue development and detecting structural pathologies. However, imaging the immature body presents unique hurdles, including motion induced by respiration and circulation, diminutive anatomical landmarks, and evolving biophysical properties such as high water content and low extracellular-matrix crosslinking, all of which necessitate specialized MRI strategies. This review provides an overview of recent advances in gradient hardware, radio-frequency coils, pulse-sequence design, and model-based reconstruction pipelines that have been specifically optimized for high-resolution visualization of embryonic and juvenile tissues. Furthermore, it summarizes the applications of these innovations in delineating normative organogenesis, characterizing congenital malformations, and quantifying the impact of perinatal stressors—including hypoxia, infection, and nutrient deficiency—on long-term tissue integrity. We highlight the considerable progress achieved in pediatric MRI, emphasizing its pivotal role in advancing our understanding of morphogenesis and regenerative potential across organ systems. Finally, we outline the remaining technical and biological challenges—such as motion correction in free-breathing infants, quantitative mapping of rapidly changing extracellular matrices, and harmonization of multi-site datasets—and discuss future directions aimed at enhancing imaging precision, longitudinal monitoring, and clinical translation in pediatric regenerative medicine.